I have just stumbled on a great little International market taking place in Sutton Coldfield town centre at the moment.

Running the length of the parade the market has all sorts of delectable goodies and crafts from various parts of the globe, from a roasting Welsh hog to Spanish paella and from caribbean to mediterranean.

It is shameful however that the powers that be appear to want to keep it a secret. Where are all the posters and fliers?

Why is that everyone that I spoke to didn’t know it was on? If things like this are going to be implemented to attract visitors to the town centre would it not be a good idea to promote them to a wider audience than readers of the Sutton Coldfield Observer?

Fortunately the market will be on until Sunday (May 20th) so there is still time to pop along.

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Lola was last seen, when I let her out yesterday morning from my flat in Horsley Road, which is off Thornhill Road, in Streetly opposite Streetly gate to Sutton Park.

Lola is 8 months old girl, who is quite shy. She usually comes to her name, so it is unusual that she has ever been gone this long. She is wearing a burgundy collar with jewels.

If anyone spots her please contact Alison on 0121 353 5340 or 07801 972 730 or alison.stacey@gmail.com

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by Kelly Round of the Our Place Community Hub

Can you help us or identify an area in need?

Our Place Community Hub has teamed up with McDonalds in Sutton Coldfield to organise a community litter pick.

The aim is to provide the opportunity for local people to join us in a mission to help keep our community clean!

The first event will be taking place on Sunday 27th of May at 10am and we will be meeting at the McDonalds Restaurant on the parade in Sutton Coldfield. We are looking for people to join in as well as tell us of areas that you would like to see cleared of litter!

Children and adults of any age can come along and help, so if you’re interested in giving something back to your local area please get in touch. Our Place Community Hub are taking enquiries on 0121 354 40 80 or email us at enquiries@ourplacecommunityhub.org

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While half the nation was watching Britain’s Got Talent on Tuesday evening I was lucky enough to be watching some genuine local talent here in Sutton Coldfield.

The Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company are currently in rehearsals for their production of the Pirates of Penzance showing at the Lichfield Garrick and Sutton Coldfield Local was invited along for a sneak preview.

As I do know my Gilbert and Sullivan from my Gilbert O’Sullivan it was an invitation I couldn’t refuse and I wasn’t disappointed. Even at this early stage it was obvious that this is going to be a well crafted production with the kind of professional performances we have come to expect from the SCMTC (if you missed their Little Shop of Horrors you can read our review here).

I was met by Paul Lumsden who explained how the company was going to be rehearsing Act 1. He also told me that the production is based more on the updated broadway version, first performed in 1980, than the traditional operatic one.

The cast were of course working hard but that wasn’t what struck me as I spent a very enjoyable hour watching them rehearse. What did strike me was the pure enjoyment they were getting from it, something which transfered easily to the audience – or in this case, me.

But it isn’t just the combination of hard work and enthusiasm that will make this production when it opens later this month, it is the genuine talent on show. Even in a school hall it was easy to feel the stage presence of Eddie Izzard look-a-like Pete Beck (the Pirate King) while the incredible voice of Vickie Belcher (Mabel) had me spellbound.

Other performances that caught my eye during the rehearsal were by Paula Waldron (Ruth) and Nick Lawrence (Frederick) so look out for those too.

Directed by Sally Baxter, The Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company Production of the Pirates of Penzance opens on May 29^th and runs until June 2^nd at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Tickets are on sale now from the Garrick box office, telephone 0154 341 2121 or visit the website www.lichfieldgarrick.com.

Performances start at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm.

Tickets are £14 for opening night, £15 Wednesday and Thursday, £16 Friday and Saturday (evening) and £12 for the Saturday matinee.

All together now…
I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical.

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On Thursday May 10th around seventy Sutton Coldfield parents met with representatives of the Birmingham LEA and local councillors at Sutton Nursery in Boldmere to discuss possible emergency measures for the September 2012 intake to local infant schools.

Many of the families present were unable to secure a place in one of the local schools with some being allocated schools over two miles away. They argued that this made a mockery of the councils walk to school program and the ‘pram pushing distance’ concept.

Councillor Robert Pocock (Lab Sutton Vesey) said that it was an appalling situation and that something had to be done that evening. He also stated that the relevant statistics had been available since 2011.

Peter Spears requested that he be permitted to give some background to the current situation but the Boldmere Mums resisted this stating that they wanted to focus on a solution. Mr Spears therefore supplied those present with a copy of the seven page document entitled: Primary Place and School Admissions – Boldmere School Issues April 2012.

Needless to say, emotions were running high as parent after parent expressed their concerns over the situation.

Julie Newbold, Head of admissions and appeals at Birmingham City Council, explained the allocations criteria and in particular that no matter how close to a school one lives, if it is not included on the preferences list a place will not be offered.

The preferences list for infant schools in Birmingham requires three schools to be named, while that for secondary school requires six. This does beg the question, why only three? Had the parents been able to include other local schools on their list the probability of this crisis occurring would surely have been reduced.

One thing that did become clear during the meeting was that the experiences of the parents and the data held by the LEA through their research did not match up. For example, parents were stating that they were being allocated schools more than two miles away while the LEA believed that this was not the case.

In response to this Peter Brammall gave out his email address stating that he was keen to hear from everyone at the meeting in order that he may use their experience to reexamine the information he holds.

Peter Spears told the meeting that the LEA were currently in discussions with some of the local schools regarding an emergency expansion for 2012. Because the discussions were still taking place he was reluctant to name the schools. However, after further pushing from the parents he revealed that they were Holland House, Boldmere, White House Common and Maney Hill.

He also explained that class maximums were set at thirty pupils and that they were therefore looking at one or two new classes for this September.

The LEA requested a further two weeks to continue discussions due to the complexity of the situation and this was agreed by those present.

The outcome of the talks and the measures to be implemented will be revealed at a meeting arranged for May 24th, again at Sutton Nursery in Cofield Road.

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Loungers, the West Country based café/bar group, is gearing up to open its third venue in the West Midlands. The neighbourhood favourite will open Verdo Lounge in Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield on Thursday 24th May creating 20 jobs for local people.

Loungers has invested £350k in converting the old Bath Store at 430-432 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, transforming the empty site into a comfortable, design-led all-day café bar. The group sited Wylde Green as a key location due to its diverse demographic and densely populated residential neighbourhood.

Loungers is currently looking for hard-working, friendly people eager to carve a successful career in hospitality.

Positions still available at Verdo Lounge include:
Grill Chefs
Kitchen Porters
Bar Staff

Jake Bishop, Operations Director, Loungers, said: “Wylde Green is a perfect site for our Lounge concept. Local people appreciate good food and, after an in-depth consultation with residents, it was evident Verdo Lounge will be a welcome addition to their already thriving High Street. We are looking to build a strong team, passionate about hospitality so our excellent pre-opening and ‘on the job’ training programme ensures our staff will be at the top of their game. Training includes expert guidance from one of Europe’s most acclaimed baristas.”

For more information and an application form please contact Alex Marsh by email at alexm@loungers.co or visit www.thelounges.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 18th May

Verdo Lounge will cater for all tastes and ages throughout the day. Whether you’re looking for the best coffee in town, a business lunch with colleagues or a get together with friends and family, Verdo Lounge is the perfect place to relax and unwind. The menu features everything from old school favourites such as burgers and banana split to tasty tapas, Teriyaki beef fillet salad and sweet potato, butternut squash and spinach curry. Younger guests are also well catered for with a choice of sausage and root mash, battered cod and chips and macaroni cheese to name but a few. All served in a relaxed informal yet stylish environment – a real home from home.

Verdo Lounge throws open its door on Thursday 24th May and will be open every day from 9am to 11pm with food served until 10pm.

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